Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing accumulated dirt and dust from ductwork, in-situ. The apparatus includes an auger which is inserted into the ductwork and the power unit for driving the auger. An extraction unit is also connected to the ductwork to remove the dust and dirt which has been produced as a result of the auger.

Abstract: A cleaning system is provided for an air conditioner or heater of the type having an air duct for conveying air with a fin-type heat exchanger transversely mounted in the air duct for heat exchange with the air conveyed in the duct. The cleaning system comprises a pair of tubes mounted horizontally across the air duct on opposite sides of and parallel to the heat exchanger adjacent the upper end of the sides of the heat exchanger. The pair of tubes each have a plurality of longitudinal slots therein for fan-shaped spraying of cleaning liquid from each of the slotted holes toward the heat exchanger. A cart with a tank of cleaning liquid can be rolled to a location adjacent the air duct. The cart has a pump for pumping liquid from the tank to the tubes and a hose for quick connection to either of the tubes.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the step boards of an escalator and an apparatus for carrying out the method. The apparatus comprises a holding unit to be fixedly placed at the entrance or at the exit of an escalator, a cleaning unit having a driving means, a power transmitting system and rotary brushes mounted on the holding unit so as to be shiftable widthwise of the escalator, and a pressing means to move the cleaning unit so that the rotary brushes are pressed against each step board of the escalator. Each rotary brush is furnished with a plurality of rows of bristle groups extending helically over the circumference of the cylindrical body thereof, and the individual bristles of each row of the bristle group are inclined both at an angle with respect to the axial direction of the cylindrical body and at an angle with respect to the radial direction of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A plant for treatment of urban run off water where a body of water (50) is separated from a water recipient (60) by means of a flexible curtain (13) extending between the bottom (80) and the surface (90) of the water recipient. The bottom end of the curtain is anchored (14) to the bottom while the surface end is provided with float means (11) being movable across the surface to change the volume of the body of water.

Abstract: Holding tanks in an extremely simple vacuum-sewage system can provide high volume storage against emergencies such as vacuum pump failure, while providing under normal circumstances frequent, sudden, small-volume discharges in which any one holding tank discharge may trigger one or more others as in a cascade sequence, precluding conditions that might produce septic accumulations. Each holding tank has a float valve with a float that can be held on the respective valve seat, against buoyancy by sewage, by conventional vacuum pumping of the main. When vacuum in the main is degraded by use of a special valve or switch for the purpose or by holding tank discharge, holding tanks are selectively discharged as a result.

Abstract: An ice, snow, and any combination thereof scraping apparatus and method characterized by an edge-illuminated, light transmitting scraping blade which provides illumination for the interior and scraping edge of a blade, thereby illuminating at least a portion of an area to be scraped from the blade illumination phenomena.

Abstract: The filtering column is of the type comprising a perforated hollow metal tubular body (11) around which is disposed a stack (20) of metal rings (27) having deformations forming spacing elements and defining therebetween filtering interstices. The rings (27) have an inside diameter exceeding the outside diameter of the tubular body (11) so as to define between the inner periphery of each ring and the outer periphery of the tubular body a limited radial clearance (26) which does not exceed the elastic limit of each individual ring. The rings (27) constitute a stack (20) retained axially on the hollow body (11) in an undetachable manner with an axial clearance exceeding the aforementioned radial clearance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chimney cleaner for cleaning a chimney flue wall. The cleaner comprises a plate having a scraping edge and support apparatus for suspending the plate between a weight and a flexible member.

Abstract: Dry-ice particles are blasted against an object to be cleaned under the presence of ice particles, whereby drawbacks in the case of blasting the dry-ice particles alone can be eliminated.

Abstract: An air stone for use in aquariums for aeration of the water contained therein comprising a hollow tube for receiving air under pressure and holes for the discharge of the air. The opposite end of the tube is closed off by a solid portion which is threaded. Adjacent to the tube end for receiving the air is a stop means and a plurality of annular disks which are located on the tube downstream from the stop means. A pair of nuts are employed threaded on the lower end, solid tube portion to compress the disks and thereby controlling the size of the bubbles emanating from between the disks.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing an airplane has a rectangular underground pit recessed below the ground surface, a turn table located at one end of the pit and rotatable at the same level as the ground surface, an upper washing unit for washing the upper side of the airplane and a lower washing unit for washing the lower side of the air plane. The upper washing unit has a carrier having a width and a height large enough to clear the tail wings of the airplane and is movable in the longitudinal direction of the pit, while the lower washing unit has a carrier which is movable within the pit in the longitudinal direction of the latter at a level substantially equal to the bottom of the pit. Each washing unit has washing means such as a brush movable on the carrier. The washing means of the lower washing unit is accessible to the lower side of the airplane through openings formed in the turn table.

Abstract: An edible oil cleaner wherein a perforated plate is provided to define a filtering zone within a filter housing, a portion of a filter web paid out of a roll thereof pivotably supported in the housing is disposed to lie over the perforated plate, the web is inserted at its downstream part between nip rollers to be movable when subjected to a rotational force of the nip rollers, and a motor for rotating the nip rollers is intermittently energized in response to a detection of deterioration in the filtering function of the filter web portion on the perforated plate, whereby impurities are continuously automatically filtered off from the edible oil introduced into the filter housing to effectively prevent the oil from being oxidized and to remarkably improve its durability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning and conditioning a fabric in which pressurized fluid is directed into a restricted and diminishing passageway formed by the fabric and a member forming an extended nip therewith so that the fluid is forced through the fabric.

Abstract: A battery powered trash collector mountable on a cart in which the collector, comprised of a pivoted cylindrical bin having a hinged lid surmounted by a vacuum blower, is mounted on a frame to the cart. A flexible hose of inverted U-shape has a nozzle at its outer end adapted for abutting, nozzle closing engagement with the ground or other surface and is supported by a leaf spring secured to the hinged lid. The nozzle is controlled by a handle through a telescoping connection secured to the hose, and a pair of electrical energy sources are provided for energizing the D.C. motor driven vacuum blower. A switch is provided in the handle of the telescoping connection for momentarily energizing the motor while a series/parallel speed controller switch is provided for selectively energizing the motor at one of two given speeds for maximum energy efficiency.

Abstract: A containment bag system specifically adapted for the removal of asbestos insulation from asbestos covered pipes and valves without contamination of the worker or the surrounding environment; a method of removing asbestos and other hazardous materials from limited areas using a safe containment system; a method for manufacturing the containment system.

Abstract: The sweeping assembly performs the method of drawing impurity-laden liquid from a reservoir throughout the depth of a body of liquid. The assembly comprises a flotation section, a surface skimming section, an intermediate suction section, and a bottom sweep and suction section. The flotation section includes a floating assembly which supports the surface skimming section, the intermediate depth suction section and the bottom sweep and suction section therebelow within the liquid in the reservoir. The surface skimming section includes a mechanism for removing impurity-laden liquid from the surface of the liquid in the reservoir. The bottom sweep and suction section includes a mechanism for placing impurities from the bottom of the reservoir into suspension within the liquid body for drawing impurity-laden liquid from the bottom of the reservoir.

Abstract: A method for washing an assay tray includes the following steps. A solid pad of absorbent material, such as a layer of cotton sandwiched between a cardboard and a nonwoven fabric, is firstly placed over the wells of an assay tray. The assay tray is then tilted or inverted together with the pad to allow the serum to drain off and be absorbed in the pad. The assay tray is then inserted in a washing device and submerged in the stationary washing liquid. Subsequently, the washing device is moved relative to the washing liquid to let the washing liquid flow freely in and out of the wells of the assay tray to thoroughly wash the beads and the wells, while the beads will be blocked from falling out of the wells by means of the special design of the washing device. The washing device has a broad opened wall which confines a network of ribs formed by intersections of transverse and longitudinal walls. The intersecting portions substantially superimpose the center of the wells respectively.

Abstract: A water filter for use inside of an aquarium which is characterized by the fact that filter cavity housing is removably attached to a sleeve unit which is in turn attached to the inside wall of the aquarium. When the filter material in the filter unit must be changed, the filter cavity housing may be removed from the sleeve unit which remains attached to the wall of the aquarium. The water current generating mechanism of the filter unit is also connected to the sleeve unit so that it does not have to be disconnected when the filter material is changed. The filter unit of the present invention is adapted for use with a cartridge type filter material in a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: Through two accesses lying substantially opposite one another, above the bottom of the steam generator, a high-pressure lance carrying at its end a spray head, is brought between the pipes of the pipe bundle. The two lances are simultaneously intermittently shifted inwards or outwards and between the shiftings, when the spray heads may spray between the rows of the pipe bundle, the lances are swung to-and-fro over 180.degree.. At least during said swinging, liquid is sprayed through said heads under a pressure higher than 200 bars and with a total flow rate for the two spray heads of more than 200 liters per minute. The used liquid is sucked away from the bottom with a total sucking capacity which is markedly higher than said flow rate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for cleaning a flexible sheet moving along a travel path, such sheet including a leading edge extending transverse to the direction of sheet travel. A rotatable fibrous cleaning brush is located with its fibers intercepting the travel path of the moving sheet. Responsive to the approach of the leading edge of the sheet, a standing wave is generated in the fibers of the rotating brush. The standing wave results in the fibers being temporarily moved away from the travel path to enable the leading edge to pass substantially freely by such fibers. The fibers return substantially immediately into contact with the sheet after passage of the leading edge to clean the sheet including the area of the sheet adjacent to such edge.